CHOICES.

The right kind of storage increases kitchen efficiency

Good cabinetry design helps

November 08, 2003|By Allison E. Beatty.

Need a storage makeover for your new kitchen?

Anyone who has lived in fear of opening their cabinet doors can attest to the important of good, efficient storage. Why go through the anxiety of trying to slam the door shut before all the cans, spices and loose recipe cards come tumbling down?

As you build a new home, this is the perfect time to put aside your old storage habits and learn a few new ones.

One of the best ways to improve storage in the kitchen is through a good cabinetry design. By maximizing the amount of cabinets, selecting the right size and shape of cabinets and adding a few gadgets, you can be well on your way to storage efficiency.

Among the options are taller wall cabinets that add storage capacity and can enhance the look of the kitchen design. While 30-inch high wall cabinets were standard in many kitchens 10 years ago, today there are 36- and 42-inch cabinets, which offer more flexibility.

"If buyers are looking to maximize space, they'll go with 42-inch upper cabinets," said Susan Lanucha, general sales manager for Smykal Associates, which is building Park Place, a single-family house development, priced from $240,000, in Oswego.

With this design, the cabinet shelves that are at eye level should be used to store dishes, glasses and other items that are used frequently. The upper shelves should contain items that are used three or four times a year. "You can store those seldom-used items instead of keeping them down in the basement and forgetting where they are," Lanucha said.

Some buyers also add glass doors to some of the tall cabinets to make the functional space more appealing. This can be particularly effective in the corner, as it creates a nice focal point. Another way to maximize storage in a corner is to buy a cabinet that sits on a diagonal and covers part of each intersecting wall. This type of design makes the most use out of the corner space and eliminates the "dead space" that occurs when two cabinets are placed next to each other in a corner.

There also are many options for making the storage capacity within the cabinetry more efficient. Among the most popular gadgets are the drawers for pots and pans that roll out from the cabinet. Many home owners like these because it allows them easier access to their pots and pans without all the lifting and rearranging typically associated with such a drawer, said Dave Karlson, owner of Karlson Kitchens in Evanston.

This approach works best when the home owners also organize what will go in the drawer. This type of drawer should be near the range so the items are accessible while cooking. "You keep the special pots and pans of like sizes together and then the lids in the same drawer," Karlson said. "Sometimes they add vertical storage for the lids to make it easier."

For those who store lots of canned goods, a cabinet shaped like a pantry is a good option. These cabinets extend from the floor to reach the same height as the wall cabinets. They typically include drawers that roll out. Depending on the width of the cabinet, it might have one or two doors on the front.

"People are always looking for that walk-in pantry, but there's not always room for it," Lanucha said. "Instead, you can add a pantry cabinet."

This type of cabinet can be used to store baking supplies, spices and canned goods used frequently during meal preparation. Items that are used infrequently can be stored in the back of the drawers. "With this type of cabinet, you lose countertop space, but most of the time, if the floor plan allows, it's the way to go," Lanucha said.

When planning your storage needs, also think about what type of work will be completed in each section of the kitchen. If vegetables will be prepared near the sink or on an island, add a drawer with the appropriate utensils nearby, said Sue Becker, owner of From Piles to Smiles, a service that helps homeowners organize their houses.

"You really need to think about how you use the kitchen," Becker said. "People tend to put dishes and silverware near the dishwasher because it's easier for unloading, but my personal preference is to keep it by the eating area."

The size of the family and how they use the kitchen also will dictate what type of storage options to add, Karlson said. "How much dry storage do they really need? How much refrigeration do they need?"

Someone who prepares large meals from scratch will require more storage space than someone who tosses frozen meals in the microwave for dinner, for example. Those who shop daily and cook with fresh vegetables might want countertop space for wicker baskets for their potatoes and onions instead of extra freezer space, Karlson said.

By taking a look at your cooking, eating and storing habits, you can begin to lay out your kitchen to make the most of the available storage space. Toss in a few rolling drawers, spice racks and garage recycling bins and the kitchen will be ready for almost any storage dilemma.